Let’s start with what we’re talking about: What are shark fishing tournaments? Shark fishing tournaments are fishing tournaments organized by one, multiple, or a group of individuals specifically designed for hunting sharks, even endangered species. Often the fishermen who caught the largest shark earns a reward. We are not talking about fishing for food, this is completely for sport. The organizers of these tournaments actually pay scientists to say that their tournaments are for science and contribute to research (which is not true, there are many ways to research sharks without killing them). Some tournaments say that since they’re not killing the sharks, or only taking parts, that they actually aren’t causing harm. For some species, that could possibly be survived, but for others, like hammerheads, the stress results in almost immediate death.

 

Let’s get this clear: The fishing industry has a lot of money. A lot of this money comes from large companies sponsoring them. Coca Cola, iHeart Radio, even more famous companies sponsor these gruesome events, which then give them even more money to hide behind science. The only reason the people who participate in these events is trophies and social media likes. Which is exactly what this petition is for. The only way we can stop this is by people protesting and not letting this slip by us. We have to let them know that this isn’t okay and they can’t get away with this. Sharks have survived 5 mass extinctions and have been around longer than dinosaurs and trees, but one thing is clear: they won’t survive human fishing if we don’t do something about it. We have to alert the companies that sponsor the fishing industries that we know this is happening and we won’t let it. I’m going to leave links to the social media accounts of these companies and tournaments if you want to reach out and protest. I’ll also leave links to good websites and shows to learn more. Please sign for the sake of these poor animals that are, as we speak, being murdered. Thank you so, so much for reading this, even if you decide not to sign. I am eternally grateful.

Sincerely, Clem Ezell, 10 years old

Good Websites: (Some may have gruesome images.)

https://sharkallies.org/shark-fishing-tournaments​

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantic-highly-migratory-species/tournaments-atlantic-highly-migratory-species

Tournament Websites: (Trigger warning! Some of these may have more gory images.)

https://blacktipchallenge.com/​

https://sharkathon.com/​

http://texassharkrodeo.com​

https://adsfr.com

Tournament Socials: (Another trigger warning!)

https://www.facebook.com/ADSFR​

https://www.facebook.com/texassharkrodeo​

https://www.facebook.com/Sharkathon​

https://www.facebook.com/BlacktipChallenge​

https://www.facebook.com/blockislandgiantsharktournament​

https://www.instagram.com/adsfr_/​

https://www.instagram.com/blacktipchallenge/​

https://www.instagram.com/texassharkrodeo/​

https://www.instagram.com/adsfr_/​

 

https://x.com/ADSFR

 

Sponsor Socials: (Very Important!)

https://www.facebook.com/CocaColaUnitedStates/?brand_redir=​1545297492377124​

https://www.facebook.com/iheartradio​

https://www.facebook.com/Xfinity​

https://www.facebook.com/BJsRestaurants​

https://www.facebook.com/penske​

https://www.tiktok.com/@cocacola?lang=en​

https://www.tiktok.com/@xfinity?lang=en​

https://www.tiktok.com/@bjsrestaurants?lang=en​

https://www.tiktok.com/@iheartradio?lang=en​

https://x.com/CocaCola​

https://x.com/bjsrestaurants​

https://x.com/Xfinity​

https://x.com/iHeartRadio​

https://www.instagram.com/cocacola/​

https://www.instagram.com/bjsrestaurants/​

https://www.instagram.com/iheartradio/